It always surprises me how much mercury there is still present in everyday processes and products, especially when we know the harm it can cause to health and the environment. In some Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it is used in processing gold and fossil fuels and is also present in everyday products like fluorescent light bulbs and a range of medical waste.

The good news is that the dangers of mercury, in particular methylmercury, are well known and there are major global initiatives at work to manage it such as the Minamata Convention. Minamata is the name of a city in Japan in where thousands were poisoned following the release of mercury tainted industrial wastewater into the bay, where it entered the food chain.

To find out more about how SIDS are managing and experiencing the reality of mercury in their environment join the ISLANDS Programme webinar - Sharing SIDS experiences on the Minamata Convention on the 14th December at 21:00 GMT. Click the link to register and join.